Emerging adult identity following adolescent experiences with psychotropic medications

A retrospective study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2168845
AutoresJessica Jordan (0000-0002-3310-7432, University of South Florida), Niti Patel (ReadyKids, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA), Kia J Bentley (0000-0002-9321-8476, Virginia Commonwealth University)
Año2017
Volumen27
Número7
Páginas694-705
Fecha de publicación2017-10-03
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1091-1359 • E-ISSN: 1540-3556
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10911359.2017.1327390
OpenAlexW2618818136
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas17

This study examines the perceptions of mental illness identity among a group of emerging adults based on their retrospective experiences with diagnoses and psychotropic medication use during their earlier formative adolescent years. A short questionnaire was administered via online social media platforms to volunteers between the ages of 19 and 30 and who self-identified as having taken psychotropic medication between the ages of 12 and 18 (N = 46). Correlation analysis revealed that several variables were associated with a stronger illness identity, including participant's happiness with their medication experiences, the belief that medication made them more like their "true" selves, and the belief that their diagnosis was accurate. Content analysis of participant narratives suggested themes related to discontinuation and barriers to adherence. These results contribute to the growing knowledge base around lived experiences of psychiatric medication use and suggest further study on how to advance more informed and compassionate mental health care

Discontinuation · Happiness · Mental health · Mental illness · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Bipolar Disorder and Treatment · Family Support in Illness · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Medicine · Psychology · Clinical Psychology